Automatic train-stop.



-B. H. CUBBAGE & C. PETERSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOP.

APPUCATION FILED JUNE 2. 1914.

1 11. 9,65 Patented- Aug. 29, 1916.

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B H. CUBBAGE & C. PETERSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOP.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE 2. 1914.

1,196,665., Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

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Ublfflf TATE@ PATNT Flfit BENJAMIN IrI. CUBBAGE AND CHRISTOPHER PETERSON, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN-STOP.

Application filed June 2, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, BENJAMIN H. CUB- BAGE and CHRISTOPHER PETERSON, citizens of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Train Stops, of which the following is a spec1fication.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus to stop trains automatically should the engineer fail to honor a set signal, and has for its primary object to provide simple, inexpensive and reliable means to prevent trains colliding with each other that is automatically operated by the train, and will protect a train that has run into a block both at the front and rear.

Another object of importance is to provide novel means of the character described that is arranged along side the track within a signal block and at the ends of the block and will operate to bleed the vent pipe of a train so that an application of the air brakes results and the train is brought to a stop, said action taking place when two trains attempt to enter the same block when approaching each other or when one train is following the other.

Another and more specific object is to provide means of the character described which includes an electrical circuit having connected therein magnets that are in circuit with the rails, said'magnets serving to operate novel track obstacle means that is to cooperate with a valve carried by the locomotive. in such manner that the valve will be opened and permit the air in the train line to escape bringing the train to a stop as the brakes are applied.

Another and more specific object is to provide means of the character described that is of an extremely simple construction and not liable to become deranged or broken, may be readily and cheaply installed and which will require little attention to maintain in working condition.

The above and additional objects are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

Serial No. 8452,4186.

the following specification and then more particularly pointed out as claimed.

With reference to the drawings, wherein there has been illustrated the preferred embodiment of this invention as it is reduced to practice, and throughout the several views of which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuit, magnets in the circuit, and the block controlled by the mechanism with the wheels and axles of a train shown in dotted lines at the ends of the blocks, the track tripping mechanism being omitted in this figure, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the track at the opposite ends of the blocks and showing our improved train stopping mechanism in elevation in inoperative position, the dotted lines showing the track obstacle mechanism in extended or operative position, the train carried train line valve being shown in diagram with relation to this figure, Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2 showing in detail the insulated connection of the magnet supporting arms with the track, Fig. 4C is a sectional view taken on the plane of line 4-4 lof Fig. 2 showing in detail the connection of the magnet supporting arm with the magnet and the magnet in section, and Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2 showing the means of pivotally connecting the track obstacle to the track.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the numerals 1 and 2 designate the rails of the track within a block, the rails in this figure illustrating the space between a signal block.

An electrical circuit is employed to operate the automatic train stopping mechanism and consists of a battery or other suitable source of current 3 that is connected by a negative conducting wire 4: to an. electromagnet 5. A conducting wire 6 connects the magnet 5 with one of the rails to the side 2 of the track as at 7 A positive wire 8 connects the battery 3 with a magnet 9 similar to the one 5. A wire 10 connects the magnet 9 with one of rails in the block.

the rails of the track 2 at a point considerably spaced from the point 7 where the wire 6 connects with one of the rails of the side 2 of the track. The rails on the side 2 are insulated as at 11 at a point between the connections of the wires 6 and 10 with the side 2 of the track so that the circuit may be completed when the trucks of trains engage the As shown in Fig. 1 in dotted lines, axles with wheels thereon designated 12 and 13 are arranged to close the circuit.

The automatic stopping mechanism is arranged preferably on the right side of the track outside of the rails. Arranged at each end of the signal block is track carried mechanism to control the vent valve on trains, designated 14 and 15. The mechanism 14 and 15 cooperates with the magnets 5 and 9 respectively and each mechanism consists of an approximately L-shaped plate 16 that is pivoted intermediate its ends as at 17 to an angular bracket 18 that is suitably secured to and preferably insulated from the adjacent rail. The longer portion of the L- shaped plate 16 is provided with a-curved upper edge '19 that is designed to extend above the upper faces of the rails when the mechanism is in operative position to engage the valve handle 20 carried by the vent valve 21 that is secured to the train and connected with the train line. This plate 16 is mounted in a vertical position and extended downwardly on the outside of the track. A

link 22 is pivotally connected at its ends with the shorter portion of the plate 16 and lower end of a swinging armature 23. The swingingly mounted armature 23 is pivoted as at 24: to and insulated from the rails 2 at its upper end. The armature 23 comprises a rod 25 provided at its lower end with an approximately right angularly extending portion 26 that is in turn formed integral at its outer end with a bar or an extension 27 which parallels the bar 25 and is arranged adjacent to the magnet 5. A supporting arm 28 provided with a bifurcated lower end 29 is secured at its upper end as at 30 by suitable fastening means 31 to one of the rails and is insulated by insulating material 32-from the rails. The lower bifurcated end 29 receives the magnet 5 which is of the horseshoe type and holds the same in position by means of bolts or other suitable fastening means 33.

The plates 16 are so pivoted that the portions thereof that are tobe extended are normally disposed downwardly to hold the swingingly mounted armatures 28 in spaced relation to the magnets so that they will be readily attracted and swung when the circuit is closed and the magnets energized.

The operation of the mechanism may be briefly described as follows: Assuming that the" cut portions illustrated in dotted lines in the diagrammatic view in Fig. 1 are trains entering a block and approaching one another, immediately upon the entering of the trains into the block, the circuit including the magnets and rails in the block will be closed although the rails on one side of the track are insulated from each other at one point between the connection of the wires of the circuit with that side of the track. The connection is made for the circuit through the wheels and axles ofthe trucks of the cars or the trains carried along the rails 1 on that side of the track and then back to the rails on the side 2 of the track thus closing the circuit. The mechanisms 1e and 15 are arranged a slight distance from the ends of the block. When the circuit is closed the magnets 5 and 9 become energized and attract the swingingly mounted armatures 23 so that they will be moved and in so moving communicate a pull to the track trip plates 16 through the medium of the links 22. When a pull is communicated to the plates 16 they will be swung upwardly so that the curved edge 19 of each plate is disposed above the upper surfaces of the rails and will engage the valve handle 20 on the vent valve 21 that is carried by the locomotive. This action causes the brakes on the train to be immediately applied and prevents the trains colliding with each other. It will also be seen that when a train has entered and is within the block that a train approaching in either direction will close the circuit upon entering the block already occupied by the first train and cause the mechanism to move into operative position after the manner described and bring about the stopping of the following train.

In practice, it has been found that the form of this invention, illustrated in the drawings and referred to in the above description, as the preferred embodiment, is the most eiiicient and practical; vet realizing that the conditions concurrent with the adoption of this invention will necessarily vary, it is desirous of emphasizing the fact that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, when required, without sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, as set forth.

What is claimed is The combination with a valve of an air braking mechanism for a train including a handle and the rails of a signal block, of an electrical circuit connected with the rails on one side of the track at the block, said rails being insulated at a point between their connection with the circuit, electromagnets connected in the circuit and carried adjacent to said connected rails of the track, track obstacles pivoted adjacent to the track and arranged to be moved into position whereby they will engage the valve handle, U-shaped armatures including arms In testimony whereof We aflix our signaof different length; the longer arm of tures in presence of two Witnesses.

each armature being pivoted to the rails on BEN. H. CUBBAGE. the connected side of the track and the CHRIS. PETERSON. shorter arm being arranged to be attracted Witnesses:

and engaged by the magnets and links con- G. A. GRUBB,

necting the obstacles With the armatures. M. F. MAZE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. G. 

